Feminine accessory receiving receptacles



Feb. 21, 1967 J. M. BARCITA-PERUCHENA FEMININE ACCESSORY RECEIVINGRECEPTACLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 11; 1965 INVENTOR JOSE M.BARCITA-PERUCHENA ATTORNEY 1967 J. M. BARCITA-PERUCHENA 3,305,679

FEMININE ACCESSORY RECEIVING RECEPTACLES Feb. 21

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 11, 1965 INVENTOR JOSE M. BARCITA- PERUCHENAATTORNEY 3,305,679 FEMININE ACCESSiGRY RECEIVING RECEFTACLES .Iose M.Barcita-lrerucliena 500 Patrick Ave., Richmond, Va. 23222 Filed Feb. 11,1965, Ser. No. 431,912 Claims. (Cl. 24tl6.45)

This invention relates to feminine accessory receiving receptacles suchas vanity cases or the like, and more particularly to such receptaclesof the type wherein an artificially illuminated mirror is included foruse with the receptacle.

Heretofore feminine accessory receiving receptacles of the type havingan artificially illuminated mirror have been available. Some of thesereceptacles are constructed so that the artificially illuminated mirrorunit is removable from the receptacle for servicing or the like.However, such receptacles are not always satisfactory because of theirbulkiness, the awkward positioning of the illuminated mirror unit in thereceptacle, the dimculty involved in removing the illuminated mirrorunit, and because of the expense of providing such illuminated mirrorunits in each of the several accessory receiving receptacles that may becarried by women.

In recognition of the need for an improved artificially illuminatedfeminine accessory receiving receptacle of the type heretoforedescribed, it is an object of the present invention to provide such areceptacle which substantially obviates or minimizes problems such asheretofore noted.

It is a particular object of this invention to provide an artificiallyilluminated, mirrored feminine accessory receiving receptacle of arugged, compact design and offering convenience in use.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide such areceptacle wherein an illuminated mirror is provided that isconveniently interchangeable among the several types of feminineaccessory receiving receptacles with which the use thereof may bedesired.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a receptaclewherein the mirrored illumination unit may be convenientlyinterchangeable among a number of such receptacles but wherein the unitmay be accurately positioned and retained within the receptacles.

In achieving these and other object as will become apparent hereinafter,the present invention provides a feminine accessory receiving receptaclecomprising an accessory receiving portion with a standardized fixedhousing connected to.the accessory receiving portion. The standardizedhousing include side walls projecting from the accessory receivingportion, the side walls having an opening therein. Removably positionedin the standardized housing is an illuminated mirror unit, this unitcomprising a removable housing including an end wall having inner andouter faces and side walls projecting from the inner face of the endwall. A mirror is fixed to the outer face of the end wall and the endwall is provided with an aperture therein. An illumination unit is fixedwithin the removable housing adjacent the inner face of the end wall,the illumination unit including a light bulb projecting through theaperture in the end wall to illuminate the mirror. A battery forenergizing the light bulb and an appropriate circuit electricallyconnecting the battery to the light bulb is provided. A switch means isinterposed in the circuit means, the switch means including a switchactuator rod projecting through openings in the side walls of thestandardized and removable housings.

Because of the design of the inner periphery of the side walls of thestandardized housing and the outer periphery of the side wall of theremovable housing, the

ited States Patent illuminated mirror unit may be slidably but removablyretained on the receptacle. The switch actuator rod, because it projectsthrough openings in the side walls of the removable and standardizedhousing functions not only to rotatably position the mirror and thelight bulb in a most convenient manner, but also functions to positionthe switch actuator in a position most conveniently grasped duringoperation of the illumination unit. Further, in some applications theprojecting switch actuator rod functions to maintain the actuator of theillumination unit in a position relative to the receptacle whereinaccidental actuation of the switch rod and the consequential draining ofthe batteries is not likely.

In describing the invention, reference will be made to a preferredembodiment illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a mirrored illumination unit accordingto the present invention positioned within a vanity case;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the mirrored illumination unitshown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom view of the mirrored illumination unit shown inFIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a mirrored illumination unit accordingto the present invention identical to that shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 butshown installed on a ladies Wallet; and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a fixed housing which may be installedon the wallet shown in FIGURE 4 to facilitate mounting the mirroredilluminating unit thereon.

Referring in more detail to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, a mirroredillumination unit 1 according to the present invention is showninstalled in a pan-like upper portion 2 of a ladies vanity case. Theupper portion 2 of the vanity case is pivot-ally connected by a hinge 4to a pan-like lower portion 6 of the case.

The lower portion 6 of the vanity case comprises a disk shaped end wall8 having a cylindrical side wall or skirt 10 upwardly projecting fromthe outer periphery of the end wall. A cord-like partition 12 projectsupwardly from the end wall 8 and extends from side wall to side wallbelow the upper periphery thereof to divide the interior of the lowerportion 6 into a cosmetic receiving portion 14-, as for facial powderand puff, and a segregated area 16. An opening 18 is provided near theperiphery of the end wall 8 in the segregated area 16 and a transparentclosure 26 is provided in the opening 18 for purposes which will behereafter discussed.

The upper portion 2 of the vanity case includes a diskshaped end wall 22having a depending cylindrical side wall or skirt 24 projectingtherefrom. The upper external periphery of the side walls 24, as shownin FIG- URE 1, may be provided with a slightly flexible clasp 26, or thelike, which, when the upper portion 2 is pivoted into contact with thelower portion 6, acts to lock these portions together by frictionalcontact with the side walls 10 of the lower portion 6. A slot-likeopening 28 is provided in the lower right-hand inner periphery of theside walls 24 at a location which is proximate to the usual location ofthe fingers or thumb of an individual holding the vanity case duringuse.

The mirrored illumination unit 1 comprises a pan-like removable housing30 including a disk-shaped end wall 32 and a cylindrical side wall orannular skirt 34- projecting in a perpendicular relationship to the endwall 32 fro-m a position slightly inwardly of the outer peripherythereof. The outer diameter of the skirt 34 is slightly less than theinner diameter of the side walls 24 of the upper portion 2 to permit theunit 1 to be slidable but frictionally retained therein. The externaldiameter of the end wall 32 of the mirrored illumination unit 1 issubstantially equal to the external diameter of the side walls of theupper and lower portions of the case. Annular shoulder portions 36formed by the portions of the inner face 38 of the end wall 32 that areradially outwardly of the skirt 34 act to limit the inward movement ofthe mirrored illumination unit 1 into the upper portion 2 of the vanitycase.

An outer face 40 of the end wall 32 is provided with a reflecting mirror42 of a generally circular periphery but flattened on the upperperiphery thereof, as shown in FIGURE 1. Adjacent the upper periphery ofthe mirror 42 a moon-shaped plate 44 is provided, the block including acentral aperture mating with an aperture 4-6 in the end wall 32 throughwhich an electric bulb 48 and socket project. Additionally, asemi-cylindrical shield or shade 50 having a closed outer end projectsfrom the moon-shaped plate 44 in a generally coextensive manner with thebulb 48 to thereby shield the same against accidental damage and shadethe users eyes from glare.

The mirrored illumination unit 1 further comprises a pair of electricbatteries 52 of the dry cell type suitably removably installed on theinner face 38 of the end wall 32 of the illumination unit 1. Thebatteries are electrically connected to a switch 54 by any appropriatecircuitry 56. The switch 54 comprises an inwardly disposed fixed contact56 and an outwardly disposed, offset arcuate leafshaped resilientlymovable contact 58. The contact 58 is biased to the open position byappropriate positioning of an arcuate block 59. The block 59 is fixed tothe end wall 32 so as to retain the contact 58 between the block and theinner periphery of the annular skirt 34. A nonconductive switchactuating rod 60 is provided with an enlarged head 62 on its outer endand an annular collar 64 intermediate its length and inwardly of anopening 66 in the annular skirt 34 through which it slidably projects.The collar 64 functions to limit outward movement of the actuator rod 69by abutment with the inner periphery of the skirt 34 as urged by theresilient movable contact 58. However, as will be appreciated, inwardpressure on the head 62 causes the movable contact 58 to close on thefixed contact 56 to thereby energize the bulb.

To install the mirrored illumination unit 1 in the upper portion 2 ofthe vanity case, it is merely necessary to rotate the unit so that theswitch actuator rod 60 is radially aligned with the slot 28 in the skirt24 of the upper portion 2 of the vanity case. Insertion of the mirroredillumination unit 1 into the upper portion 2 is easily accomplished, theextent of the insertion being limited by abutment of the shoulders 36against the periphery of the side walls 24. Proper alignment is thusinsured.

Upon pivoting the upper portion 2 to close the same on the lower portion6 of the vanity case, the outer periphery of the mirror 42 and themoon-shaped plate 44 are received within the side walls 1% of the lowerportion 6 and may abut the partition 12. The shoulders 36 are sandwichedand locked against vibration between the upper and lower portions. Theelectric bulb 48 and the shield 50 are received within the segregatedcavity 16 and thereby protected by the partition 12 which abuts themirror from the powder or the like in the cavity 14. However, even inthis position, upon actuation of the switch the light from the bulb isemitted through the transparent closure 20 to provide illumination asdesired.

Because the mirrored illumination unit 1 is of an uncomplicated, unitaryconstruction, it is particularly adaptable to interchangeability betweenvarious types of feminine accessory receiving receptacles that may becarried by women. As may be appreciated, when a woman carries a largehandbag, she may Well desire to carry a vanity case therein. However, onmany occasions a woman carries simply a small wallet similar to thatshown in FIG- URE 4 of the drawings. In such instances, it is aconvenient matter to remove the mirrored illumination unit 4 1 from avanity case, as shown in FIGURE 1, and install the same in the walletshown in FIGURE 4.

To facilitate installation of the mirrored illumination unit 1 on thewallet 70 a standardized outer housing 72 is provided which is generallythe same in dimensions as the corresponding portions of the upperportion 2 of the vanity case shown in FIGURE 1. That is to say, an endwall 74 is provided having side walls or an annular skirt 76 projectingtherefrom. A slot-like opening 78 is provided to slidably receive theswitch actuating rod 60. The standardized housing 72 may be direct-1yfixed by adhesive or the like to the wallet 70, but, in the preferredembodiment a pair of rectangular, laterally extending flanges 80 and 82are fixed to the rear face of the end wall 74. The wallet is providedwith a rectangular pocket 82 formed by a rectangular peripheral flap 84of a slightly flexible construction and of a slightly greater dimensionthan the outside dimensions of the flanges 82 and 80. To removablyposition the housing 72 on the wallet, it is merely necessary to insertthe ends of the flanges 80 and 82 under the flaps 84. Thereafter themirrored illumination unit may be installed in the standardized housingof the wallet as in the vanity case.

It should be noted that the switch actuator rod as positioned in theslot of the standardized housing, not only functions to rotatablyposition the mirror and light bulb in a manner most convenient for use,but also positions the switch actuator per se at a location that, whenthe wallet is closed or in a folded condition, is adjacent the walletfold and therefore protects the switch actuator against accidentaldisplacement and consequential draining on the batteries.

It will be appreciated that while transfer from a vanity case to awallet of a mirrored illumination unit is suggested, standardizedhousings might similarly be provided on ladies handbags or on the insideof the flap thereof, or on other feminine accessory receivingreceptacles normally carried by women.

Similarly, although the instant invention is shown as including acylindrical pan-like housing, any convenient shape may be utilized aslong as the illumination unit may :be conveniently interchangeable andaccurately and conveniently positioned in the various units by theswitch actuator rod.

While the invention has been described with reference to only twoembodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatadditions, deletions, modifications and substitutions and other changesspecifically described in the illustrated embodiments may be made whichfall under the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A feminine accessory receiving receptacle comprising an accessoryreceiving portion, a fixed housing connected to said portion, said fixedhousing including side walls projecting from said portion, said sidewalls having a slot-like opening therein, an illuminated mirror unitslidably received in said fixed housing, said illuminated mirror unitcomprising a removable housing including an end wall having inner andouter faces, side walls projecting from said inner face of said endwall, said end wall having an aperture therein, a mirror fixed to saidouter face of said end wall, an illumination unit fixed within saidremovable housing adjacent said inner face, said illumination unitincluding a light bulb projecting through said aperture in said end wallto illuminate said mirror, battery means for energizing said bulb,circuit means electrically connecting said battery and said light bulb,and switch means interposed in said circuit means, said switch meansincluding a switch actuator projecting through said openings in saidside walls of said fixed and removable housing to rotatably fix saidilluminated mirror unit relative to the remainder of the receptacle.

2. A feminine accessory receiving receptacle comprising an accessoryreceiving portion, a cylindrical, fixed hq g U JQQQQ to said portion,said fixed housing including annular side walls projecting from saidportion, said side walls having a generally smooth inner periphery andhaving a slot therein, an illuminated mirror unit slidably received insaid fixed housing, said illuminated mirror unit comprising a removablecylindrical housing including an end wall having inner and outer faces,annular side walls projecting from said inner face of said end wall,said side walls of said removable housing having an opening aligned withsaid slot in said side walls of said fixed housing, a mirror fixed tosaid outer face of said end Wall, said end wall having an aperturetherein, a semi-cylindrical shield projecting from said outer face ofsaid end wall adjacent said aperture, an illumination unit fixed withinsaid removable housing adjacent said inner face, said illumination unitincluding a light bulb projecting through said aperture adjacent saidshield to illuminate said mirror, battery means for energizing saidbulb, circuit means electrically connecting said battery to said lightbulb, and switch means biased to the open position interposed in saidcircuit means, said switch means including a nonconductive switchactuator projecting through said slot in said side walls of said fixedhousing and said opening in said side walls of said removable housing,said actuator having an enlarged head spaced from the outer periphery ofsaid fixed housing and a collar inwardly of said aperture in said sidewalls of said removable housing.

3. A vanity case comprising a pan-like cosmetic receiving portion, apan-like cover pivotally connected to said cosmetic receiving portion byhinge means, said cover comprising an end wall, side Walls projectingfrom said end wall, said side walls having a slot-like opening therein,an illuminated mirror unit slidably and removably received in saidcover, said illuminated mirror unit comprising a removable housingincluding an end wall having inner and outer faces, side wallsprojecting from said inner face of said end wall, said side walls ofsaid removable housing having an opening aligned with said slot-likeopening in said side walls of said cover, a mirror fixed to said outerface of said end wall, said end wall having an aperture therein, thesemi-cylindrical shield projecting from said outer face of said end walladjacent said aperture, an illumination unit fixed within said removablehousing adjacent said inner face, said illumination unit including alight bulb projecting from said aperture to illuminate said mirror,battery means for energizing said bulb, circuit means electricallyconnecting said battery and said light bulb, and switch means biased toan open position interposed in said circuit means, said switch meansincluding a nonconductive switch actuator projecting through saidopenings in said side walls of said cover and removable housing, saidcosmetic receiving portion including a segregated cavity adapted toreceive said light bulb and said shield when said compact is in theclosed condition, and transparent means adjacent said light bulb in saidsegregated cavity adapted to permit the passage of light therethrough.

4. A vanity case according to claim 3 wherein clasp means are providedon said cover to lock the vanity case in the closed position and whereinsaid end wall of said removable housing includes shoulder means adaptedto be locked between adjacent surfaces of said side walls of said coverand said pan-like cosmetic receiving portion when the vanity case is inthe closed position.

5. A feminine accessory receiving receptacle according to claim 1wherein said accessory receiving portion includes flexible pocket means,said fixed housing including an end wall adjacent said accessoryreceiving portion, and a pair of fianges fixed to said end wall andextending laterally on opposite sides of said fixed housing, the outerends of said flanges slidably and removably received in said flexiblepocket means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,998,523 4/1935Ramstad 2406.45 2,480,800 8/1949 WickWire 2406.45 3,163,364 12/1964Ritter et al 2406.45

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

1. A FEMININE ACCESSORY RECEIVING RECEPTACLE COMPRISING AN ACCESSORYRECEIVING PORTION, A FIXED HOUSING CONNECTED TO SAID PORTION, SAID FIXEDHOUSING INCLUDING SIDE WALLS PROJECTING FROM SAID PORTION, SAID SIDEWALLS HAVING A SLOT-LIKE OPENING THEREIN, AN ILLUMINATED MIRROR UNITSLIDABLY RECEIVED IN SAID FIXED HOUSING, SAID ILLUMINATED MIRROR UNITCOMPRISING A REMOVABLE HOUSING INCLUDING AN END WALL HAVING INNER ANDOUTER FACES, SIDE WALLS PROJECTING FROM SAID INNER FACE OF SAID ENDWALL, SAID END WALL HAVING AN APERTURE THEREIN, A MIRROR FIXED TO SAIDOUTER FACE OF SAID END WALL, AN ILLUMINATION UNIT FIXED WITHIN SAIDREMOVABLE HOUSING ADJACENT SAID INNER FACE, SAID ILLUMINATION UNITINCLUDING A LIGHT BULB PROJECTING THROUGH SAID APERTURE IN SAID END WALLTO ILLUMINATE SAID MIRROR, BATTERY MEANS FOR ENERGIZING SAID BULB,CIRCUIT MEANS ELECTRICALLY CONNECTING SAID BATTERY AND SAID LIGHT BULB,AND SWITCH MEANS INTERPOSED IN SAID CIRCUIT MEANS, SAID SWITCH MEANSINCLUDING A SWITCH ACTUATOR PROJECTING THROUGH SAID OPENINGS IN SAIDSIDE WALLS OF SAID FIXED AND REMOVABLE HOUSING TO ROTATABLY FIX SAIDILLUMINATED MIRROR UNIT RELATIVE TO THE REMAINDER OF THE RECEPTACLE.